Updating US-Japan Cybersecurity Cooperation

Japanese cybersecurity strategy has emphasized national security and international cooperation while also addressing new challenges such as the security implications of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and the internet of things (IoT). The Japanese government has intensified discussions on the development of active cyber defense capabilities since the introduction of its 2022 National Security Strategy. These developments provided the government with a strong mandate to draft new legislation, which is slated for consideration during the regular parliamentary session in 2025.

Telecommunication networks, including undersea cables, are important infrastructure for cyberspace. Because cyberspace is not restricted by geography, like-minded countries need to cooperate to create and evolve the rules for cyberspace, prevent cyberattacks, and support developing countries in building their cyber capacities.

The United States and Japan, as leading cyber allies, face several challenges in preparing for global cybersecurity threats and long-term strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific. Do Washington and Tokyo agree on threat perception? How should the countries prioritize their limited resources? What roles, missions, and capabilities should they share, execute, and cooperate on? And how can they identify the appropriate mix of cyber capabilities?

At Hudson, regional and cyber security experts from both countries will discuss these issues and provide an update on the status of US-Japan cybersecurity cooperation.

Agenda

9:30 a.m. | Registration

10:00 a.m. | Opening and Welcome Remarks

10:05 a.m. | Keynote Remarks

• Takashi Michikata, Director, Office of the Director General for Cybersecurity, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan

10:30 a.m. | Panel 1: Evolving Cyber Policy Environment in the US and Japan

• Dai Mochinaga, Associate Professor, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan Experts Committee and Member, Japan Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center (JPCERT/CC)
• Takashi Michikata, Director, Office of the Director General for Cybersecurity, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan
• Adam Segal, Ira A. Lipman Chair in Emerging Technologies and National Security and Director of the Digital and Cyberspace Policy Program, Council for Foreign Relations

Moderator

• Riley Walters, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute

11:20 a.m. | Panel 2: Scope and Challenges of the US-Japan Cooperation in the Cyber Domain

• Dai Mochinaga, Associate Professor, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan Experts Committee and Member, Japan Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center (JPCERT/CC)
• Takashi Michikata, Director, Office of the Director General for Cybersecurity, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan
• Jeffrey Hornung, Japan Lead, National Security Research Division and Senior Political Scientist, RAND Corporation

Moderator

• Riley Walters, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute

12:05 p.m. | Closing Remarks